Hazell (ITV 1978-1979, Nicholas Ball, Roddy McMillan)

September 3, 2016

James Hazell (Nicholas Ball) was an ex-cop invalided out of the force because of a bad leg. He turned to drink and wrecked his marriage before becoming a private detective whose manor was the London suburbs. His nemesis was copper Choc Minty (Roddy McMillan) with whom he had something of a love-hate relationship. Hazell was often aided in his investigations by cousin Tel (Desmond McNamara).

The series was based on the novels of PB Yuill, pseudonym of Terry Venables and Gordon Williams, author of the book on which Straw Dogs was based. It was made by ITV in 1978 after it was discovered there was a demand for a London-based crime series in the same vein as The Sweeney. Nicholas Ball – Pamela Stephenson’s husband before Billy Connolly – was recruited as the disillusioned private eye.

A film noir vibe was well to the fore and audiences loved the stylish location filming and seedy reality shots in settings such as Acton, the East End and Clapton Greyhound Stadium. The theme tune was by Roxy Music saxophonist Andy McKay.

There were 13 episodes planned for the first season but an ITV strike meant only ten were made. The three stories that didn’t get made were titled Hazell Stands In For Sam Stone, Hazell And The Soup Siege and Hazell’s Three Star Night.